The Delhi High Court has allowed a couple to appear virtually from Canada and participate in surrogacy-related proceedings before the district medical board. The High Court noted that, as the board has to primarily examine the relevant medical records, it should not insist on the physical presence of the couple at this stage.
“In the opinion of this court, there is no reason why the district medical board should not take a pragmatic view of the matter and permit the petitioners to appear virtually, especially since the remit of the district medical board under Section 4(iii)(a) of the Surrogacy (Regulation) Act, 2021, is primarily to examine the relevant medical record to ascertain as to whether the petitioners are eligible for issuance of a ‘Certificate of Medical Indication’ in their favour,” Justice Sachin Datta said in a November 10 order.
The court said the nature of the exercise is largely predicated on a perusal of the relevant medical record, and in case any clarification is required from the couple, a virtual interaction would suffice. “There is also no rationale as to why the district medical board should not equip itself in conducting virtual hearings as is mandated for the State Board under Section 5(3) and 5(4) of the Surrogacy Regulations, 2023,” the court said while setting aside a March order of the board and allowing the couple to appear virtually for the proceedings.